This author was new to me.
I actually picked up the book from the "new books" shelf at the town library because I liked the cover art.
This book was set in Ireland, in 1825-1826. It takes place over a year. It was an interesting story and the author put a lot of research into it.
STORY SUMMARY
Nora Leahy is a recent widow. Her husband Martin just dropped dead while working in the fields. Her daughter Hannah had died a couple of months previous to this, leaving a husband named Tadgh and a little boy named Michael. Tadgh brought Michael to his grandparents Martin and Nora because he could no longer care for him. Michael was very changed however. At age 2, the last time his grandparents had seen him, he was a thriving toddler who was talking and walking.
Now, at age 4, he is paralyzed and mute.
What happened to him??
Nora, now alone with her grandson who really doesn't seem like her grandson at all, decides to hire a country girl named Mary Clifford. Mary is just 14 years old but has many siblings so has much experience with helping out on a farm and with little ones. Mary soon learns, though, from the other women in the valley, that Nora suspects Michael is a "changeling"...a fairy....and that all of the bad luck that has come to the valley is because of him.
Nora and Mary are determined to find a cure for Michael, so they bring him to the local old woman known as Nance. Nance is a recluse and quite elderly....she used to be revered for her magical healing powers and knowledge of herbs but lately she has been condemned by the new Catholic priest in town, as a fraud and a threat. The priest is warning the people to not have anything to do with Nance and her ways.
But Nora knows Nance once healed Martin's hand so she is set on Nance getting the "fairy" out of Michael and getting her real grandson back.
Will Nance's cure work?? What will happen once they try the last attempt??
How is it that Nance and Nora are charged with murder??
and will they hang for what they've done??
MY THOUGHTS
This book was different. It was gripping and kept me turning the pages but yet at the same time, it was a little disturbing to know this story was based on actual events.
I didn't know much about Irish folklore or superstitions/curses before reading this and I found my self googling certain words to learn more.
This book deals with the struggle between fantasy/superstition vs. faith.
The characters are all well developed and interesting.
The setting was so descriptive I felt like I could smell the mud described and feel the mist....hear the cows lowing, and see the golden sunrise.
The book is in 3 parts and each chapter is the name of a different plant or herb. That was very interesting to me.
The book was dark in spots with a driving force of "what is going to happen with Michael, Nora, Nance, and Mary?" There are many characters in this book but they are the main ones.
This author has also written another novel titled Burial Rites, about a woman who was hanged for murder, based on a real account from 19th century Ireland. I probably won't read that one, but this author is someone to look for. Her writing style is superb although the subject matter is intense and dark.
In my opinion, this book is appropriate for ages 17 and older.
On a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the highest, I rate this an 8.
2 comments:
I've heard Burial Rites is very, very good.
Oops published before I finished the comment. I was going to say this sounds interesting. I didn't realize she'd written another one.
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